Located on a lively downtown stretch, the Canadian architecture practice creates a contemporary and playful design for andrea’s cookies
Photography by Scott Walsh
When Toronto-based architecture practice StudioAC was enlisted to create the interior for a popular cookie shop, the architects combined soft pink hues and stainless steel to create a delectable design that is as efficient as the grab-and-go concept it supports.
From the outside, the shop’s interior reads as a minimalist composition punctuated by a series of soft, sweeping gestures, clean lines and visual interest. The centrepiece is a pink plywood curve that arcs through the space, brushing against the side of walls and inviting visitors inside.
Creating a path from entrance to exit, it is here where the shop comes alive. From selecting a treat to watching it packaged in an ombré-pink box, the shop is designed to create delight. Hovering above, a matching curved bulkhead in the same blush tone acts as a canopy to the ordering counter.
Photography by Scott Walsh
‘We believe that good design, architecture and art can bring people together, enhance a community, and help businesses flourish,’ says StudioAC. Bringing a sense of ceremony to a fast-paced experience, the designers wanted to create something special that visitors would remember even if they only visited the cookie shop briefly.
That sensibility plays out in the contrast of textures and tones. The warm tactility of the custom-stained plywood is balanced by sharp stainless-steel finishes that delineate the working bakery beyond. Cosy yet playful, the bakery is designed to elevate the customer experience for a brick-and-mortar store.
Of course, StudioAC is no stranger to distilling form and function into buildings. Since its founding in 2015, the Toronto-based practice – helmed by Kudlats and Andrew Hill – has become known for work that is often expressed through warm minimalism and rigour.
Photography by Scott Walsh
Recognised as Canada’s Best Emerging Designer by the Design Exchange in 2019 and named Designer of the Year by Designlines in 2023, the studio continues to draw attention with its ideologically driven work that treads between art and architecture.
True to form, their cookie shop project is no exception. From the sinuous millwork to the gradient-toned packaging, every detail at andrea’s cookies contributes to elevating the overall feel and experience of the space, leaving room for childlike wonder.
Human interaction is at the forefront of the practice’s focus by using architecture to challenge expectations and encourage others to see the world through another lens. It’s about finding a thread that ties the whole experience together in a way that feels effortless but has a lot of thought behind it.
Photography by Scott Walsh
With its interplay of form and material, StudioAC has designed an intentional interior that reflects andrea’s cookies brand DNA by injecting a dose of colour and fun. As Toronto’s food scene continues to evolve, StudioAC’s latest design stands out by doing less – brilliantly.
Not just a place to pick up cookies, StudioAC has crafted a fun-loving spot for design and food aficionados in downtown Toronto, elevating a simple everyday experience into something just a little sweeter.
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